Press Releases

Posted on November 2, 2007

U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Bob Corker (R-TN) issued the following statements today after President Bush vetoed legislation that would authorize repairs and replacements for aging Tennessee dams and locks, revitalize riverfront developments, bolster flood control efforts and aid more than a dozen state water quality projects. "I'm disappointed the President vetoed the Water Resources Development Act which is critical to Tennessee's water infrastructure -- from keeping Wolf Creek Dam safe to providing clean drinking water in small towns like Blaine, Tennessee. In fact, this bill would help repair our aging dams and levees allowing us to safely store more water and reduce the negative impacts of droughts like the record-setting drought our state faces today." “Maintaining and improving our country’s infrastructure is tremendously important both from the standpoint of safety and from the standpoint of competitiveness,” said Corker. “Congress hasn’t passed a WRDA bill in seven years, so this bill is long overdue. I’ve voted for this bill in the past and will certainly vote to override the president’s veto.” The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 authorizes funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and helps provide the Corps with the confidence to make long-term contract agreements and allocate their budget efficiently. The $23 billion bill passed the House by a vote of 381 to 40, and passed the Senate by a vote of 81 to 12. President Bush vetoed the legislation today. Congress is expected to vote on whether to override the President’s veto in the coming weeks. A two-thirds majority of both the House and Senate is required to override the veto. Further information regarding Tennessee projects in the bill can be found by clicking on the links below: 1st Congressional District https://www.alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1259&Month=9&Year=2007 2nd Congressional District https://www.alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1260&Month=9&Year=2007 3rd Congressional District https://www.alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1263&Month=9&Year=2007 4th Congressional District https://www.alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1264&Month=9&Year=2007 5th Congressional District https://www.alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1265&Month=9&Year=2007 7th Congressional District https://www.alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1266&Month=9&Year=2007 8th Congressional District https://www.alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1261&Month=9&Year=2007 9th Congressional District https://www.alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1262&Month=9&Year=2007